Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-11-25
JIM'S THANKSGIVING.
"Is that your dog?"

''Is that your dog?"
Jim looked around. A ght-looking
boy of eight years was sitting in car
riage which stood before a six X-story dry
goods store. He was gazing admiringly
at the pretty terrier Jim held in his
arms. He moved toward him, drawn by
the quickly established chord of sympa-
thy between two boys on the subject Of
dogs.
"Ain't he beauty? Well, yes,
'spose he's mine. He fell off the box Of
big style carriage, somethn' like that
O. yourn, one day. picked him up and
run after it, but couldn't ketch it. l
didn't steal him." added Jim, earnestly.
Course you didn't"
"I've done some mean things, but |
promised mother I'd never steal. He
was lame for while, poor little creetur,
but 1 nussed him very careful, and he's
well now"
"How'll you trade? I'd like to have
him."
But Jim hugged the dog closer to him,
as the small boy drew various treasures
from his pockets.
"There's top II spin for fifteen min.
aud uut-pick; then there's these car
nelians-look-nine; they're worth a
quarter apiece. I'll give 'em all for
him."
Jim shook his head. "He's all I've
got, you see, and I'm fond of him. I've
fed him when | went hungry myself"
"Pll give you some money, then. See,
you could buy some clothes"
Jim looked down at his pitiful rags,
but stood firm.
Take this anyhow" said the boy.
with look Of sympathy, holding out Il
half dollar. Get something good for
you and the dog"
Jim eyed the coin wistfully. won't
your father care?" he asked.
"No, no." laughed the boy; she isn't
here, though. Been gone away for six
months, and he's coming home tonight,
and we're going to have the jolliest
Thanksgiving. Where's your homer
81 amt got no home. There's no
Thanksgiyin' for me anywheres."
"Dear me!" the bright face lengthen-
ed into an expression of surprise and
dsmay. "But my mamma says every
body has something to be thankful for; :"
but he looked at Jim as if he thought
there might be cases in which this was
to be doubted. "I'll tell you what" he
went on, after pause. You come TO
our house to- morrow Afternoon, and I'll
give you such dinner! Say, now, will
you?"
81 don't know" said Jim, slowly.
"Pd like to. Where is it?"
No. - Avenue. You come
there and ask for Johnny Wexford. Now
do, promise, won't you?-and bring
your dog. Say, what's his name!"
WELL" said Jim in half apolOgetic
tone, "hiS whole names George Wash
ington, but | call him George for short.
You see. amt got no folks, and make
b'lieve he's folks, and talks to him and
he most knows all say, and it seems
most like my brother. had little
brother once, aud my mother was real
good woman, and"
There's my mamma, said the boy in
the carriage. Just show her that
dog"
But Jim drew back as lady approach
ed, and nodding to johnny, "l'll come"
mingled in the crowd. He soon sought
poorer street.
"Ho. no, George my hoy, what DO you
think OF that?" he said, showing him the
money. "What'd you like for supper
to- night? B'lony sassage and crackers,
eh? Yes, kuowed you'd say that" as
George, wagging his tail vigorously,
licked his masters face. "Or whatd
you say to reg'lar bakers roll and a
bit O. hot steakf" Georges attention
was just here riveted on cur oflow de-
gree passing by, and the short hair on
his back stood up as he answered his
growl. NO." went on Jim, 81 thought
you'd say that was too extravagant for
the likes O. we; so we'll have the b'lony,
George"
"And where shall We put up tonight,
little feller, eh! Shall We 90 10 the
United States, or the Jefferson Club
House! Or shall We go to the juno
.ion, where we slep' las nightf It's
pettin' leetle cold for country lodgins,
but they might be e1pectin' Us, and We
wouldn't like to disappoint 'em, eh, +,
George? The warm side o. that straw
stack want bad, you know. We might
take our supper out there and eat, eh?
George wagged his hearty approval Of
the plan. and Jim took his way to sub
urban depot. Here he awaited the make
up OF a freight train, and in the gather
ing twilight took his place on aplatform
unperceived. Night closed down as the
train would its slow length out of the